Glenfarclas 1985 Family Cask Single Malt Scotch

June 8, 2015

Glenfarclas The Family Casks Single Malt Scotch: A few weeks ago we (I) indulged in a Glenfarclas tasting and ’twas good. Amongst the expressions to sample that night was this 1985 from The Family Cask range. The Family Casks are a unique collection of the best single casks from the distillery’s warehouses. Launched in 2007, the collection initially consisted of 43 single cask bottlings, with one cask from every year from 1952 to 1994. It is their intention to continue to offer as wide a range of consecutive vintage dated single casks as possible, hence since 2007 there have been seven further releases, to replace casks which have sold out, and to extend the range to include 1996. The Family Casks are bottled at cask strength and have natural colour, which allows you to explore the subtle differences between casks and the history of the Speyside family owned Glenfarclas distillery. On the night 6th generation family member and ambassador, George Grant, explained that what Glenfarclas have done with the The Family Cask expressions, no other distillery could do.

GLENFARCLAS 1985 REFILL SHERRY HOGSHEAD

On the nose: there is the most beautiful note of candy floss, followed by strawberries and a tiny bit of lemon zest. This initial nosing is then followed by madeira cake, some welcome peppery notes, aniseed, a touch of sulphur and some parma violets. Rounding off the nose are subtle notes of berries, a light floral note and a hint of oak. On the palate: that initial waft of candy floss is ever present, along with notes of lavender, strawberries and those parma violets. Notes of cinnamon start to emerge, followed by citrus zest, sherry, that meaty sulphur note, Demerara sugar and pepper. The finish: long, sweet, with lingering parma violets and spices.

The verdict: I think it’s suffice to say that I’ve never tasted a bad Glenfarclas single malt Scotch and what is really nice about the range is just how different each and every year is. This refill hogshead sherry cask imparts the most beautiful and delicate notes. It is sweet but it still has a lovely meaty undertone with spiciness that balances out this scotch perfectly. At 45.5 % ABV, there was no real need to add any water, however, if you feel the need to do so only add a small amount.

Glenfarclas 1985 The Family Casks Single Malt Scotch Whisky can be found online at the Whisky Shop for approximately £340.00. For more information on The Family Casks range, visit the official Glenfarclas website.